Camera IconNathan Lyon with Mickey Edwards who was the cult hero from the Sydney Test last summer when he came on as a substitute fielder is now in the NSW Squad for upcoming JLT Series.Picture: News Corp Australia, Phil Hillyard

Mickey Edwards earns chance to spearhead NSW one day squad

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MITCHELL Starc and Josh Hazlewood are a shot at returning for NSW at the back end of the one-day cup, but until then the Blues will unleash a blond-haired phenomenon who became a cult hero last summer without anyone even knowing he could bowl.

Mickey Edwards brought the SCG to life during the last New Year’s Test against Pakistan when Australia injected him into the normally anonymous position of sub-fieldsman.

Thinking he was Nathan Bracken without a hair brush, the fans forgot about what was happening on the pitch and ensured Edwards’ would temporarily take over the Test match.

Camera IconNathan Lyon with Mickey Edwards who was the cult hero from the Sydney Test last summer when he came on as a substitute fielder is now in the NSW Squad for upcoming JLT Series.Picture: News Corp Australia, Phil Hillyard

He didn’t take a catch and didn’t make a mistake, but the crowd grabbed onto the beach curls born and bred on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and refused to let go — spurred on by spinner Nathan Lyon who kept going out of his way to throw Edwards the ball between deliveries, knowing the stand behind would erupt.

But the untold story behind Edwards’ spectacular cameo appearance that day is his Pat Cummins-like history of back injuries, and the fact the physio was even nervous about him fielding in that Test because he was on the comeback from yet another stress fracture and at that time wasn’t bowling.

Camera IconMickey Edwards in action as a substitue fielder during the Test against Pakistan at the SCG.Picture: News Corp Australia, Mark Evans

The life of the Blues squad, Edwards has shown he has much more to his character than an infectious personality, and sheer determination and skill has him set to debut for NSW against WA at the WACA on September 29, ahead of a possible start in Sheffield Shield cricket as well.

“It started off with me just getting yelled at with people thinking I was Nathan Bracken,” said Edwards.

“I think Nath (Lyon) had more fun with it than I did. I was scared.

“It’s nice to be known for playing cricket this time rather than just catching Nathan’s ball. Hopefully I can do well here and be known for my bowling rather than just running the drinks.”

Edwards has serious potential as a NSW quick, and very soon it could be a family affair at the Blues.

Younger brother Jack Edwards is one of the most promising up-and-coming cricketers in the country, scoring a century for Austin Waugh’s Australian under 19s squad when he’d barely turned 17.

Mickey has joked on social media that his brother is “the better Edwards”, but he is serious about his own Test cricket dream as well.

“He’s a batsman luckily so I can steal the bowling limelight for now,” said the 22-year-old from Manly.

“I played first grade with him on the weekend, that’s the first time that’s happened so pretty exciting. He’s kicking a lot of goals.

“That day (fielding for Australia) spurred me on if anything and reaffirmed that dream in my head that I do want to play Test cricket. That was such a cool day.”

Test spearhead Starc (foot) is favoured to return for the Blues in the second half of the one-day cup which starts in Perth in nine days’ time and then makes its way over to Sydney, where NSW will play four matches next month.

Hazlewood is on track to start the Sheffield Shield season after breaking down in the Bangladesh Test series with a side strain, however he is a chance to make his comeback at the end of the one-dayers if NSW go deep into the tournament.

Edwards has been through plenty of injury setbacks and is determined to make hay while the sun shines.

“It’s pretty unexpected actually (he said of his call-up). I went up to Brisbane (for training camp) thinking it was just to get workloads in so to get picked is a real surprise, but I’m pretty stoked to be where I am right now,” he said.

“The last two and a half years has been just mainly rehab from stress fractures. To get to this point is pretty exciting, and it feels like a long time in the making.

“It’s been a pretty tough couple of years. It feels good to be back off the long run.”